''HE  FAMILY  GROUP.
See page 33.




JAMES BAIRDos,
THE BASKET-MAKER'S SON.
BY THE AUTHOR OF
"FATHER JOHNSON," "THOUGHTS OF HEAVEN,"
"PRINCE FAMILY," FmF.
Neum-hork:
IUBLI*ED BY CARLTON & PORTER,
SUNDAY-SCHOOl. UNION, 200 MULBERRY-BTREET.




Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1854, by
CARLTON & PHILLIPS,
in the (C:lk's Office of the District Court of the Southern
District of New-York.




PREFACE.
THE narrative sketched in this little
volume will bring before the youthful
reader various instructive lessons.  In
it he will see the importance and blessed results of early piety. That it may
lead many a youth to abandon a course
of sin, and early to embrace the religion of the Bible, is the prayer of the
author.
R. W. A.
FALL RIVER, MASS.,
September, 1852.








CONTENTS.
CHAPTER L
A  FATAL  MISTAKE.
The Baird family —Cuses of poverty-Great change in domestio
circumstances-Fatal mistake in business-Loss of property and
character-Tendency of sin-Woman's grief..........Page 11
CHAPTER I.
AFFECTING  RESULTS.
A beautiful residence left-A humble cottage-Loss of domestie
efjoyment-Gloomy prospects-Intemperance-Making basksts-Uncomfbrtable tenement........................... 25
CHAPTER III.
A GOOD 80N.
James —His general character-Disobedience-Sad accident-Oo.
cupation-Succesaul in obtaining supplies-Studies-Intereted
inreading the Bible...................................... 86
CHAPTER IV.
A  SUNDAY  SOHOOL.
The village-Wickedness abounds-Sunday school formed-tory
of the unfortunate widow-Death of a widow's daughter-Sanctified afflictions-The sorrowful girl-James much interested in
the school.......................................... 46




8                    CONTENTS.
CHAPTER V.
TRIUMPHANT EXIT.
James regularly attends Sunday school-Punctnal-Tardy-Lessons learned-Frank sick-Visited by James-Becomes a Christian-Prepared to die-Triumphant exit.............. Page 57
CHAPTER VI.
GLORIOUS REVIVAL.
James becomes a Christian-A happy convert-Good news to
Mrs Baird-Revival in the school-Story of a little girl-Conversos with her father-Prays for him-Prayers heard-Converion of Channcey C.-Church formed..................... 69
CHAPTER VII.
THE  WAY  TO  DO  GOOD.
James continues faithful-Visits a destitute neighborhood-Hold
a religious meeting-A skeptic convinced-Dreadful struggleConverted-General revival-Visits the sick-Visits a young
friend-Labors blessed-Triumphant dying................ 84
CHAPTER VI.
WHAT  A  SUNDAY  SCHOOL  CAN  DO.
A story-A little girl useful-Money contributed-Books purchased-A destitute school supplied-Books thankfully received
-A good example.....................................




CONTENTS.                         9
CHAPTER IX.
TEMPERANCE MEETING.
Attends a temperance meeting-Prejudice against temperanceEvils of intemperance portrayed-A striking example-Dreadful
death-The pledge-The old soldier-James signs the pledgeDialogue...................................... Page 104
CHAPTER X.
THE  RECIAIMED.
Attends another temperance meeting-Mr. Baird attends —Glorious results-Signs the pledge-Great joy-Becomes thoughtful
— eads "The Dairyman's Daughter "-Attends meetingDeeply convinced of sin-Seeks the Saviour-Becomes a Christian..........................................     118
CHAPTER XI.
TBIUMPHS OF  GRACE.
Mr. Baird connects himself with the Church-Health declines
Wonderfully sustained-Dies in peace-Funeral-Solemn time
-James and his mother supported-James becomes a ministe....................................................   181
CHAPTER XI.
CONCLUSION.
Religion valuable-Blessings of early piety-Usefulness —Lfe short
-No time for delay-Glorious meeting contemplated...... 189




rAGN
THE FAMILY  GROUP..........................................                   2
JAMES GOING  TO  SABBATH  SCHOOL.......................   60
MEETING  OF JAMES AND  HIS FRIEND.....................   81
CIRCULATING  THE  PLE...........................  112




JAMES BAIRD.
CHAPTER I.
A FATAL MISTAKE.
IN the town of E - lived a poor
family who obtained their livelihood by
making baskets. Mr. Baird, the husband and father, had become intemperate, and this was the cause of their
poverty. His parents had been respectable and wealthy; and though there
was a large family of children, their
fortune being  divided  among them
placed each in very comfortable circumstances. Mr. Baird, soon after his marriage, moved to the town of E-,




12          JAMES BAIRD.
where he built an elegant and commodious house, pleasantly located on a
large farm  that he had recently purchased.
Though designed as a farm-house, it
was admirably arranged for convenience
and comfort, and great taste was displayed throughout all its apartments.
It occupied a site peculiarly charming:
the scenery around was unusually beautiful and enchanting. In one direction,
the landscape spread itself out before
the eye in its native loveliness. At
another point, the hills appeared clothed
with verdure, adorned with here and
there a group of forest-trees, which presented to the beholder a scene truly
picturesque.  The meadow land, as it
stretched  along  a beautiful winding
river, in another direction, covered with
a luxuriant growth of grass, with here




A FATAL MISTAKE.       13
-and there a cultivated spot, added much
to the beauty of the scene. A more
desirable location could not have been
selected, either for the purposes of agriculture, for health, or for the beauty of
natural scenery.  Few spots on earth
combined so many natural advantages
and charming prospects.
Here Mr. Baird commenced business,
under very encouraging circumstances.
He was out of debt, and had a good
farm-the best, it was said, there was
in the town.  Indeed, he bad everything that heart could wish. A more
delightful home than his can hardly be
imagined.  He was greatly respected
by all who knew him, and was looked
to as soon to become one of the most
active and influential men of the town.
Already he had been appointed to fill
important offices, the duties of which




14         JAMES BAIRD.
he discharged with  promptness and
ability.
Mrs. Baird was connected with one of
the first families in the town where she
lived. She was well educated, possessed
an excellent disposition, and was much
admired for her personal beauty. Her
society was much sought for, and no
one in the circle in which she moved
was more admired and beloved. At an
early age she became pious, and connected herself with a Christian Church.
At the age of twenty she gave her hand
in marriage to Mr. Baird.  The union
was highly approved, and all looked
upon it as a most happy one.  The
parents, old and feeble, rejoiced that
their children had done so well, and
gave them many blessings.  The nuptial festival passed off delightfully, and
the guests retired, rejoicing in what




A FATAL MISTAKE.       15
they had witnessed. It was a bright
and happy day-the visions of future
domestic bliss and prosperity animated
the hearts of the newly-wedded pair.
But what changes take place in this
changing world! How little we know
of what is before us!  Our brightest
prospects are often soon followed by
our greatest sorrows.  How  many
have experienced the sad truth of the
following exclamation of an excellent
writer: "What scenes of delight, resembling gay visions of fairy bliss, have
all been unexpectedly wrapt in shadow
and gloom!"
Mr. Baird, with his amiable companion, moved into the new house as
soon as it was finished, and commenced
housekeeping.  Everything went on
pleasantly: the
" Perpetual fountain of domestic sweets"




1 6          JAMES BAIRD.
was there.  The hearts of the happy
pair sweetly blended together, and they
were one in their aims, objects, and desires.  Mr. Baird cultivated the soil,
and received an abundance for his labor.
A  good Providence smiled upon his
efforts, and in everything he did he
was prospered.  For several years he
was contented and happy.  Mrs. Baird
attended to all her domestic affairs with
skill and promptness, ever laboring to
make her home a cheerful and happy
one: and  such  it was;  everything
smiled  in  and  around  the dwelling
How delightful is such a home!
"' Home!
There's magic in that little word;
It is a mystic circle which surrounds
Comforts and virtues, never known.Beyond the hallow'd limit."
At length some of Mr. Baird's neighbors persuaded him to commence a new




A FATAL MISTAKE.        1'
business. Distilling cider-brandy was
then considered quite a respectable occupation.  Some men that stood high
for respectability were engaged in it.
The temperance reform  had at that
period scarcely commenced. Mr. Baird
yielded to the persuasions of others,
and entered into the business.
A  beautiful stream  of water ran
through a part of his farm, over which,
at a certain point, he erected a stillhouse. Cider was abundant, and could
be bought cheap. He purchased a large
quantity, and made arrangements for
running the distillery summer and winter.
A large part of the cider was deposited
in a sand-bank, near the distillery, for
the winter's use. He looked upon the
operation as a money-making affair.
His new employment required all his
attention, consequently his farm  was




18         JAMES BAIRD.
neglected; but he thought little of this,
since, as he imagined, he was in a way
of making more money by another business. He was greatly encouraged for a
season, and looked forward to a time
when he should become independent,
and be able to retire from business.
But he was doomed to disappointment;
adversity, "like an armed man," came
upon him. Nothing that he did seemed
to prosper. The large cistern or reservoir which contained the cider in the
sand-bank gave way, and its contents
were soon lost in the river, a few miles
below. His brandy had. been sold to
merchants and others, several of whom
failed to pay him. His business, in a
short time, became a source of perplexity
and trouble to him. He became deeply
involved in debt; creditors called, and
he was unable to meet their demands.




A FATAL MISTAKE.        19
He did not like to give up his distillery;
his proud heart rebelled against the idea
of its being said that he had engaged in
an undertaking, and was under the
necessity of abandoning it: so he resolved to persevere.  His companion
had long seen that it was going ill with
him, and tried to persuade him to give
up the business, but all to no purpose.
Six years after he built his distillery,
his property was all gone; his creditors
came upon him, and took his last cent.
Notice came that, by a certain day, he
must leave the elegant house he had
built.
His broken-hearted  wife-now  a
mother-was overwhelmed with sorrow;  such  a day  she had  never
expected to see.  All her domestic
happiness' was gone-her home she
must leave.  Those who professed to
2




20          JAMES BAIRD.
be her friends in prosperity had now
forsaken her.  It was a sad time, indeed,-the sorrows of her heart were
inexpressible!
Her husband had become a drunkard:
this was her greatest source of grief.
His distilling business had not only
ruined him in property, but it had destroyed his reputation and character.
His companion had observed for some
time that he was less attentive to his
family, that his business was neglected,
and that he was fond of staying at the
distillery late at night. Occasionally,
he would come home intoxicated, and
abuse his family.  She still hoped for
the best, and thought that he might
see his condition, and turn from  his
evil course; but, alas, it was otherwise! He had already gone' too far:
his evil habits had taken a strong hold




A FATAL MISTAKE.       21
upon him. He grew worse and worse.
Soon he neglected his business altogether. He now associated with drinking characters like himself. He was at
home but little; and when at home, his
presence was dreaded, for he had lost
all his kind feelings, and seemed more
like a savage.  How changed!-how
brutalized!
The poor woman kept her feelings to
herself, and bore up under her troubles
as well as she could. At times, her
grief seemed quite insupportable: she
thought of her husband,-of what he
once was, and what he had now become
by intemperance; she thought of the
great change that had taken place in
their temporal circumstances, and would
at times be quite overcome with emotion. She thought, too, of their little
son,-the only child that had lived out




22          JAMES BAIRD.
of four.  What would become of him?
She saw that the example of the father
was calculated to ruin him; she remembered how many sons,had been ruined
in this way. A  young man of fine
talents and of great promise, who had
been in her husband's employment for
several years, had become intemperate
through his father's example and influence. She had seen this young man,
in his hopes and prospects, crushed by
the monster, intemperance. His noble
intellect had been ruined, his morals
corrupted, his health destroyed, and,
though scarcely thirty, he had become
a mere wreck of what he once was-a
poor, sickly, emaciated being, forsaken
by his-friends, lost to all self-respect,
an outcast of society, and soon, in all
probability, to find a drunkard's grave!
Mrs. Baird had felt a deep interest for




A FATAL MISTAKE.        23
this young man. She had watched his
downward progress, and, in her unwearied efforts to reclaim him, had seen
fully the inveteracy of the habit. To
think that her own and only son was
to be brought up under an influence
calculated to bring him to such a dreadful end was more than she could endure.  She resolved, therefore, to do
all in her power to prevent his taking
the first step in the road to intemperance.  She saw that a habit of intemperance was not reached at once,-that
it was a gradual work,-that it was the
first glass that led to the mischief.
She therefore took every precaution to
guard him against the evil, and instilled
into his youthful mind the importance
of tasting not the intoxicating draught.
That her efforts were successful will be
seen in the sequel.




24          JAMES BAIRD.
How  strong is a mother's love!
What cannot she do to save her offspring from the destroyer! How impressive are her teachings on  the
youthful mind!




AFFECTING RESULTS.        25
CHAPTER II.
AFFECTING  RESULTS.
IT was a lovely morning in June.
Brightness and beauty seemed to adorn
every object of nature: the sun shone
brightly, the air was soft and bland, the
earth was covered with " its own carpet
of beauty," and the birds were skipping
from branch to branch, and singing merrily.  "Who could not be happy on
such a morning?" exclaims one of our
youthful readers. But, while the
" Plants and flowers of a thousand dyes
Waved in the soft wind's gentle sighs,"
there were hearts that were sighing, full
of grief and sorrow; the loveliness of
the morning had no charms for them.
The sad day had arrived when Mr.




26         JAMES BAIRD.
Baird and his family were to leave their
large and convenient dwelling. It had
been built for their especial comfort and
accommodation. The out-buildings were
well arranged and convenient.  The
garden furnished an abundance of vegetables and fruit: the fruit-orchard that
stood near by had come to maturity,
many of the trees of which had been
planted by Mrs. Baird's own hands.
The beautiful mansion, with its richlyadorned grounds, together with the
large and valuable farm, had passed to
the ownership of other hands, and they
must now leave them forever! A few
articles of furniture was all that the'law
would allow them to take away.  It
was indeed a sad morning for Mrs.
Baird; her feelings may be better
imagined than described.
But where were they to go?  Let




AFFECTING RESULTS.       27
us describe the place. At the extreme
end of the town, near a ravine, at the
"brow of a hill," stood an old cottage,
which had been tenantless for several
months.  It had been built for several
years, but poorly finished; and such
was its present condition, that it was
unsuitable as a tenement for any family.
It stood near a large tract of wood-land,
several rods from a traveled road, and
some distance from any other dwelling.
Finding no other tenement, the fimily
were under the necessity of taking
possession of this uncomfortable one.
What a contrast in their circumstances!
But Mr. Baird was so far fallen by intemperance that he cared but little for
his family,-he seemed to have lost
sight altogether of their domestic comfort and happiness.
Their goods being moved, they com



28         JAMES BAIRD.
menced housekeeping in the miserable
and lonely cottage. What pen or pencil can describe the feelings of the
broken-hearted wife?  But the most
terrible affliction of all was that she
still had a drunken husband. He who
ought to have been her greatest comfort
through life, had become the source of
all her misery.
"The common calamities of life,"
says an elegant and popular writer,
"may be endured: poverty, sickness,
and even death, may be met; but there
is that which, while it brings all these
with it, is worse than all these together.
When the husband and the father forgets the duties he once delighted to
fulfill, and by slow degrees becomes the
creature of intemperance, there enters
into his house the sorrow that rends
the spirit,-that cannot be alleviated,



AFFECTING RESULTS.        29
that will not be comforted. It is here,
above all, where she, who has ventured
everything, feels that everything is lost.
Woman, silent, suffering, devoted woman, here bends to her direst affliction.
The measure of her woe is in truth full
whose husband is a drunkard.  Who
shall protect her when he is her insulter,-her oppressor?   What shall
delight her, when she shrinks from the
sight of his face, and trembles at the
sound of his voice?  The hearth is indeed dark that he has made desolate.
There, through the dull midnight hour,
her griefs are whispered to herself;
there  her  heart  bleeds  in  secret.
There, while the cruel author of her
distress is drowned in distant revelry,
she.holds her solitary vigil, waiting,
yet dreading, his return, that will only
wring from her, by his unkindness, tears




80          JAMES BAIRD.
even more scalding than those she sheds
over his transgression.
"To fling a deeper gloom across the
present, memory turns back, and broods
upon the past. Like the recollection to
the sun-stricken pilgrim of the cool
spring that he drank at in the morning,
the joys of other days come over.her, as
if only to mock her parched and weary
spirit. She recalls the ardent lover,
whose graces won her from the home
of her infancy,-the enraptured father,
who bent with such delight over his
new-born children,-and she asks if
this can really be he; this sunken
being, who has now nothing for her but
the sot's disgusting brutality!
"Can we wonder that, amid the
agonizing moments, the tender cords of
violated affection should snap asunder?
-that the scorned and deserted wife




AFFECTING RESULTS.      31
should confess'there is no killing like
that which  kills the heart?'-that,
though it would have been hard for
her to kiss for the last time the cold
lips of her dead husband, and lay his
body in the dust, it is harder to behold
him so debased in life that even his
death would be greeted in mercy?
Had he died in the light of his goodness, bequeathing to his family the
inheritance of an untarnished name, the
example of virtues that should blossom
from the tomb, though she would have
wept bitterly indeed, the tears of grief
would not have been also tears of shame.
But to behold him fallen away from the
station he once adorned, degraded from
eminence to ignominy,-at home turning his dwelling to darkness, and its
holy endearments to mockery,-abroad,
thrust from the companionship of the




32          JAMES BAIRD.
worthy, a self-branded outlaw,-this is
the woe that the wife feels to be more
dreadful than death, that she mourns
over as worse than widowhood."
This picture of the evils of intemperance is truly a melancholy one, but it is
life-like,-it is true.  How many can
tell the sad story of having seen it, in
all its appalling features!
The condition of Mr. Baird's family
was most deplorable. The heart sickens
as one thinks of the circumstances to
which they were reduced by intemperance.  How  dreadful the evil which
produces so much degradation and sorrow! We should turn from it as from
the most deadly serpent.
" Necessity," it is said, " is the mother
of invention."  Having made the best
arrangements they could for housekeeping, something must be done for a liveli



AFFECTING RESULTS.        33
hood.  Basket-making was fixed on
for this purpose. In this Mrs. Baird
could render important service.  Her
husband, by intemperance, had broken
down a naturally robust and vigorous
constitution, and was able to perform
but very little labor.  At times, he
would assist their little son in procuring
materials, and these were wrought into
baskets of various kinds, principally under the direction of Mrs. Baird.* The
baskets, with what they received in
acts of charity, supplied them comfortably with the necessaries of life; and,
but for an intemperate husband and
father, they might have lived happily,
though  their outward  circumstances
were unpropitious.  But intemperance
is the bane of all domestic peace and
comfort.
a See Frontispiece.




34          JAMES BAIRD.
Mr. Baird was naturally kind and
affectionate, and his affection was strong
for his wife and little son; but when
under the influence of strong drink his
natural affection was all gone, and he
seemed more like a demon than a human being.  Often would he return
from the grog-shop, late at night, to
abuse  those  he once  dearly  loved.
What can destroy affection like intoxicating drinks?  What can so brutalize
the man, and fill his heart with hatred
and cruelty?  What can so effectually
dry up the fountain of sympathy and
degrade man below  the beasts that
perish?  Indeed, under the influence
of this dreadful evil, man  is  not
himself.   Everything  that is kind,
lovely, noble, and  praiseworthy  are
gone,-his freedom  and self-rule are
gone,



AFFECTING RESULTS.              35
"He is a weed
Flung from the rock, on ocean's foam to sail
Where'er the surge may sweep,-the tempest's breath
prevail."
But the  story  of this  unfortunate
family will be more fully told in the
succeeding chapters.
3




36          JAMES BAIRD.
CHAPTER III.
A GOOD SON.
JAME —for this was the son's namewas ten years old at the time his parents removed into the cottage.  He
was an affectionate child, and early
evinced a mild and amiable disposition.
Seldom was he ever known to be angry,
and he seemed to be a stranger to a
revengeful spirit. His plays and passtimes were characterized by gentleness
and kindness.  On this account he had
endeared himself to all his young associates: his company was much sought
after by those who had become acquaint.
ed with him.  There is something peculiarly attractive in gentleness and the
loving smiles that accompany it:



A GOOD SON.                87
"The sun may warm the grass to life,
The dew the drooping flower,
And eyes grow bright, and watch the light
Of autumn's opening hour;
But words that breathe of tenderness,
And smiles we know are true,
Are warmer than the summer time,
And brighter than the dew.
" It is not much the world can give,
With all its subtile art,
The gold and gems are not the things
To satisfy the heart;
But, 0, if those who cluster round
The altar and the hearth
Have gentle words and loving smiles,
How beautiful is earth!"
At one time, he indulged in an angry
spirit toward one of his playmates; but
for this he became truly sorry, and resolved never to cherish such a spirit
again.  John  W-, with  whom  he
was playing, called him hard names,
which he resented: thus he was led to
show the spirit of anger. He mention



88         JJAMES BAIRD.
ed the circumstance to his mother, who
reproved him for his conduct. He felt
the reproof keenly, and asked his mother's forgiveness.
At another time, he came near losing
his life; a circumstance that made a
deep impression on his mind. He had
been sent on an errand to one of the
neighbors, and was required to return
immediately.  Here he met with John
S  -, one of his schoolmates, who
urged him to stop awhile for play. At
first James was not disposed to listen
to his young friend, and even went so
far as to say that he must return immediately.  " My mother," said he, "told
me to come back as soon as I had done
my errand."
"Never mind, James," said John;
"your mother will not care if you stay
a little while.  David T    - will be




A GOOD SON.          39
here in a few minutes, and we will have
a fine time at play."
James listened, and reluctantly gave
his consent to stay a short time. Soon
several of their playmates arrived, and
their play commenced.  Time passed
away pleasantly, and before James was
aware the sun had nearly set.
" I must go home," exclaimed James;
"the sun is almost down!"
"Don't go just yet," said William
P —; "let us play a little longer.
Our school, you know, commences next
week, and I think we ought to have a
little time to play during the vacation."
So they continued their play till the
sun was quite down.
As James was leaving for hope,
"Come," said John S —, "let us get
some apples.  They are ripe on one
tree in our orchard, and father said




40         JAMES BAIRD.
we  might have  as  many  as we
wished."
Away they ran for the orchard, and
soon they were all on the tree. Unfortunately, James made a misstep, and
down he came upon the ground; and
his head falling on a stone, he was
taken up apparently lifeless. The blood
ran freely, and for a time it was thought
that he would die. He was immediately taken to the house. A physician
was sent for, and every effort was made
to save the unfortunate boy.
On coming to himself, he thought of
his disobedience, and he was much distressed in mind. His mother, who had
arrived by this time, tried to console him
with the idea that she had forgiven him;
and that she doubted not but God would
forgive him, if he was truly penitent for
his transgression.




A GOOD SON.          41
James gradually recovered; but the
accident made such a deep impression
on his mind, that he never dared to
disobey his parents again.  He was
afterward known as one of the most
obedient boys in the town.
James assisted his mother much in
obtaining a livelihood.  He obtained
most of the materials for making baskets, and rendered important service in
putting them together. The small ones,
with the assistance of his mother, he
could make very well. The large ones
the father assisted in making.  He
would often carry the baskets to those
who had ordered them, and would frequently sell those that were not ordered.
His mother preferred to have James
sell the baskets, for he always brought
the money to her; but when Mr.
Baird sold them  he would frequently




42         JAMES BAIRD.
spend  the  money  for intoxicating
liquor.
It was a cold day in December, and
Mr. Baird had gone probably to waste
the day with his drunken companions,
leaving his family destitute of bread.
James insisted upon taking some baskets, and trying to sell them. Mrs. Baird
feared to have him  do so, lest he
should perish from the severity of the
cold; but James was resolute, and was
determined to make an effort.  He
started, and proceeded about two miles
without any success.  At length he
called on Mr. W. —, a merchant, who
very readily took the baskets, and gave
him flour in exchange, and ordered it
sent immediately to the residence of
Mr. Baird. James hurried back with a
glad heart, scarcely feeling the cold, and
rejoiced with his mother in his success.




A GOOD SON.          48
Mrs. Baird gave thanks to the Lord for
the supply of flour, which was quite unexpected; for she could but see the
hand of God in the success of her son.
James was remarkably attentive to
the wants of his mother; he could not
bear to see her in want or suffering
from any cause; he could not endure
seeing her weep. He would often say,
" What is the matter, mother?  What
shall I do for you?" Scarcely did he
receive a present, however trifling, without sharing it with his mother. He
loved and honored his father, and was
attentive to his necessities, but he abhorred his intemperance.
He was very fond of reading, and
would interest his mother in reading
some good book to her, when not otherwise employed. Many a long winter
evening did he spend in this way.




44          JAMES BAIRD.
"Pilgrim's Progress," by John Bunyan,
was often read; and James would stop
and ask questions respecting the characters there introduced.  This gave his
mother a fine opportunity of explaining
to him  many interesting subjects respecting a religious life.  The Bible
was often read by James with much
pleasure.  Mrs. Baird considered this
the book of books, and she felt deeply
anxious that her son should early become interested in it. She would often
request him to read some of the interesting and thrilling stories of the Old
Testament.  The story of Moses,-of
David and Goliah,-of the children killed by.bears,-of the building of the
ark,-and of Joseph, sold by his brethren,-were often referred to, and read
with attention.  These Bible readings
were improved by Mrs. Baird, to the




A  GOOD SON.                  45
great profit of her son. He soon regarded the Bible as the most important
of all books,-a mirror in which he was
enabled to behold glorious things. The
poet has expressed the idea admirably:
" Hold up thy mirror to the sun,
And thou shalt need an eagle's gaze,
So perfectly the polish'd stone
Gives back the glory of his rays.
"Turn it, and it shall paint as true
The soft green of the vernal earth;
And each small flower of bashful hue,
That closely hides its lowly birth.
" Our mirror is a blessed Book,
Where, out from each illumined page,
We see one glorious Image look,
All eyes to dazzle and engage.
"The Son of God: and that indeed
We see him as he is, we know;
Since in the same bright glass we read
The very life of things below."




46         JAMES BAIRD.
CHAPTER IV.
A SUNDAY SCHOOL.
ABOUT half a mile from the cottage, in
one direction, was a small village, in
which the manufacturing of various articles-mostly, however cotton clothwas carried on. There was no church
near, and most of the people in the
village seldom, if ever, went to a religious meeting, or even respected the
Sabbath as the Lord's day.  Some of
them were not far removed from heathenism.  The children were growing
up in ignorance,-spending their Sabbaths in rambling over the fields, and
committing depredations on the neighboring farms.
A few of the good people in the town
determined on opening a Sunday school




A SUNDAY SCHOOL.         47
there, and secured an old building, located on the brow of a hill near the village, for that purpose. This building
had not been occupied for several years,
and was quite out of repair.  It was
formerly the home of a large family,
the father of which had died of intemperance; and the mother, being unable
to support the family, had gone to live
with a relative, while the children were
scattered to different parts of the country.  Such is often the fate of the
drunkard's family.
But the old building, after suitable
repairs and alterations, was made to
answer very  well for the  Sunday
school. Mr. C, a young man well
known for his piety and his love to
children, consented to superintend the
school; and a sufficient number of suitable persons volunteered their services




48          JAMES BAIRD.
asteachers. All necessary preparations
having been made, it was agreed that
the school should commence on the following Sabbath, and notice was circulated through the village and vicinity
accordingly.
It was a delightful Sabbath morning,
in June, when the school was -opened.
About fifty children assembled-some
of them for the first time-to learn the
Holy Scriptures.  It was truly encouraging to see so many assemble at
the opening of the school.  Most of
them  were clean and neatly clad, and
showed a deep interest in the exercises.
Some of the parents and others came to
see what was done.  The people in the
village were generally pleased with the
school; though some opposed it, thinking, probably, it would have a tendency
to make the children religious.




A SUNDAY SCHOOL.        49
Among those who were seen winding
their way along the side of the hill to
the Sunday school was Mrs. G,
with her little children. Her appearance attracted  the attention of the
superintendent. She was about thirtyfive years of age, neatly clad, but appeared much care-worn.  Her easy,
graceful manner, and her keen, intellectual eye, evidently showed that she
had seen better days. During a brief
conversation, it was ascertained that she
was a daughter of a wealthy merchant
in a distant town: that she had enjoyed superior advantages of education,
and had been trained in the circles of
fashionable life. She was early married
to a young man who had just finished
his education, and was about commencing business for himself.   Her
prospects were  the  most flattering.




50         JAMES BAIRD.
Her husband for several years was
prosperous in business; but, by an unfortunate speculation, he lost all hs property, and became a bankrupt. About
the same time he was taken sick.  For
about five years he was unable to perform any labor, and at length he died
without leaving his family a cent on
which to depend for a subsistence. Her
friends were now unable to assist her,
and she was thrown upon her own resources, to obtain a living for herself
and children as she could. For awhile
she taught school, an employment in
which she delighted; but finding her
income too limited for her expenses, she
resolved to move into a factory village,
where she might get situations for herself and two of her children in the mill;
leaving the oldest to take care of the
house and her younger sister. She had




A SUNDAY SCHOOL        5-1
four children at this time, and. thought
that she thus might better Secure a
livelihood for them.
Soon after her removal to the village,
her oldest daughter sickened and died.
In her last moments she found the Saviour precious, and died in great peace.
Soon after, her only son was taken sick,
and in about a week he died. This
was seemingly more than the poor widow could endure; she felt that her main
earthly dependence was gone. It was
a sad day indeed,-her grief was well
*nigh insupportable!
"Now," said she, "I am left with
these two little girls,-one eleven and
the other nine,-and I must provide for
them as well as I can.  We live here
far away from any religious meeting,
and the people seem to have no desire
for anything of the kind. The children
4




52          JAMES BAIRD.
of the village are growing up in ignorance, and many of them  are learning
bad habits. I rejoice that some good
people have resolved on opening a Sunday school here: in no place is one
more needed."
The deep afflictions through which
the poor widow had passed had been
sanctified to her spiritual good. After
the death of her eldest child, she resolved on giving her heart to Christ;
and though she had no one to pray for
her, or to speak to her distressed spirit
words of comfort, yet she was enabled
to cast herself on the atonement, and
was soon able to " rejoice with joy unspeakable, and full of glory." She became an excellent teacher in the Sunday
school, and was instrumental of doing
much good.
Among the girls present at the school




A SUNDAY SCHOOL.        53
was one that appeared dejected and sorrowful.  The superintendent learned
that her mother had recently died; and
that her father was a wicked man, but
had finally consented that she should
go to the Sunday school. The Bible
she held in her hand was given to her
by her mother, just before she died:
she regarded it as a precious treasure.
The superintendent gave her excellent
advice, which she most gladly received.
We shall have occasion to refer to
this little girl again in the following
pages.
None seemed more interested in the
school than did James Baird. He had
attended a Sunday school before his
parents moved to the cottage; but living now so far from any school of the
kind, he had ceased to be a Sundayschool scholar. Now that a school was




S4-1        JAMES BAIBD.
3o near, he most gladly embraced the,
opportunity of attending.
A more interesting group of children
can hardly be imagined.  True, some
of them  looked as if they knew  but
little about the comforts of life, and
nearly all of them were poor as to this
world.  This may have been their misfortune, but it was not their fault.
A finer set of countenances was not
often seen.  Most of the children ap
peared very bright and active, and
evinced great aptness to learn.
After making suitable arrangements
for the school, such as forming the
classes, giving out the lessons, &c.,
and distributing a few books, the superintendent addressed the children on
the importance of studying the Bible,
urging them  to, read and. love this
blesaed book.




A SUNDAY SCHOOL.               55
The following beautiful hymn of
Watts was then sung:GREAT GOD, with wonder and with praise
On all thy works I look;
But still thy wisdom, power, and grace,
Shine brightest in thy book.
The stars that in their courses roll
Have much instruction given;
But thy good word informs my soul
How I may climb to heaven.
The fields provide me food, and show
The goodness of the Lord;
But fruits of life and glory grow
In thy most holy word.
Lord, make me understand thy law,
Show what my faults have been;
And from thy gospel let me draw
Pardon for all my sins.
Here may I learn how Christ has died,
To save my soul from hell;
Not all the books on earth beside
Such heavenly wonders tell




66           JAMES BAIRD.
Then let me love my Bible more,
And take a fresh delight
By day to read these wonders o'er,
And meditate by night.
The school was dismissed, and the
children were soon seen making their
way to  the village, apparently  much
delighted with what they had seen and
heard.  A  few were seen crossing the
fields, who lived in the farm-houses and
cottages in different directions.   The
superintendent and  teachers left the
place with  glad  hearts.' Never will
they  forget that delightful  Sabbath
morning.




TRIUMPHANT EXIT.        57
CHAPTER V.
TRIUMPHANT EXIT OF A YOUNG FRIEND.
JAMES BAIRD, or the basket-maker's
son,-for by that name he was generally known,-as we have already informed the reader, felt a lively interest
in this school. He was seldom, if ever,
absent, unless detained by sickness;
and often when quite unwell he would
go, when prudence'would have led him
to stay at home.  If confined to the
house by sickness, he would converse
much about the Sunday school, and express an earnest desire to be there. At
such times he would recite his lesson
to his' mother, who always made it interesting and profitable. This exercise
was generally closed by singing a few




68         JAMES BAIRD.
lines of some appropriate hymn, in
which James, when able, always took
a part.
James was seldom  too late at the
school-room. At one time he arrived
during the opening exercises, and remained at the door until they.closed.
On taking his seat, his teacher observed
to him, " Well, James, you were rather
late this morning." James hardly knew
what to say. He tried to find an excuse for his tardiness; but his teacher,
seeing his embarrassment, thought it
not best to say anything further on the
subject, and proceeded immediately to
the lesson. The fact was, he lay in bed
too late that morning, an unusual circumstance for him, and one he felt
ashamed to confess.  Such an occurrence did not take place again during
his connection with the school. At an








_.1_~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~,~O
"~~~ —---— ~T-7
JAME   GOIG T    SABATH-SCEOOL




TRIUMPHANT EXIT.        61
early hour he would be seen making his
way across the fields to the schoolroom, and frequently he was the first
scholar that arrived.
His lessons were always well learned,
and he could recite them  with great
ease and readiness. In this respect he
excelled all in his class, which consisted
of five lads besides himself. The time
which most boys spend in play James
spent in studying his Sunday-school
lesson.  When he came to difficulties
which he could not remove, he would
go to his mother, who was always ready
to assist, and who never failed to render
him the necessary aid.
He would often astonish his teacher
by his ready answers to the questions
proposed; clearly  showing  that.his
knowledge of the Scriptures was far in
advance of that of most persons of his




62          JAMES BAIRD.
age.  His Sunday-school books were
read with great eagerness: the lives
and deaths of good children interested
him much.  His practice was to read
his Sunday-school books to his mother;
but this was generally done in the absence of his father, who was not much
pleased with such kind of reading, and
who thought that James was becoming
quite too religious.
About this time a circumstance occurred which greatly affected the mind
of James, and which was much blessed
to the good of his soul. Frank W-,
one of the members of his Sunday-school
class, was taken suddenly ill, and, after
a distressing sickness of about three
weeks, passed into the spirit world.
Frank, too, was punctual in his attendance, and took a deep interest in the
school.  He was early left without a




TRIUMPHANT EXIT.        63
mother, —she had died when he was
but three years of age,-and his father
being from  home most of the time,
Frank had. associated with bad boys,
and had contracted many bad habits.
His oldest sister, who kept his father's
house after the death of his mother,
felt deeply interested for " Franky," as
he was called, and often tried to prevent his going with wicked associates.
When the Sunday school was formed,
he was persuaded to attend, and at
length became so much interested in it
that it was a source of grief to him if
circumstances rendered it necessary for
him to be absent a single Sabbath. He
and James were regarded as the best
scholars in the class, and they had become quite intimate.
On learning that Frank was sick,
James hastened to see him; but on




64         JAMES BAIRD.
arriving at his house, he was informed
that he was not allowed to see visitors,
that he was dangerously sick, and that
much depended on his being kept perfectly quiet. This was a great grief to
James, as he was very anxious to see
his sick friend.
Frank continued to grow worse, and
all hopes were given up of his recovery.
He was anxious to see his Sundayschool teacher.  Being sent for, he
immediately came; and on entering the
room, he was recognized by the dying
boy, who seemed overjoyed at his
presence.
"You seem quite sick, Frank," said
the teacher.
"aYes," exclaimed the dying boy;
"and the doctor says I cannot get
well."
He seemed somewhat excited, though




TRIUMPHANT ERIT. 
perfectly possessed of his reason. His
mind was much exercised about a preparation for eternity. He continued: " I
want to go to heaven. I have been
trying to give my heart to the Saviour;
and I did feel last night that he accepted me as his child. I feel dark now in
my mind,-will you pray for me?"
After giving him  a few words of
counsel, which seemed necessary under
the circumstances, the teacher knelt by
his bedside, and earnestly prayed that
God would fully prepare the child for a
home in heaven.  During the prayer,
Frank felt that Jesus was precious to
him, and he soon became unspeakably
happy. He was now willing to die,
and glad in prospect of soon being in
heaven. While the following lines were
sung, he seemed filled with unspeakl
able joy: —




66             JAMES BAIRD.
"On Jordan's stormy banks I stand,
And cast a wishful eye
To Canaan's fair and happy land,
Where my possessions lie.
"0 the transporting, rapt'rous scene,
That rises to my sight!
Sweet fields array'd in living green,
And rivers of delight."
The day before he died, he wished to
see his Sunday-school class. On being
sent for, they all came to see their dying friend, and it was a most interesting
and affecting meeting.  Frank exhorted
them all to repent of their sins, and
immediately give their hearts to the
Saviour.
None were more deeply affected than
was James.   He had  long  felt that
religion was important, but, like many
others, he concluded to defer seeking it
till some future  time.   He  now  saw
what religion could do in the last hours




TRIUMPHANT EXIT.          67
of life, and he made up his mind that
he would seek it. Several of his companions came to the same resolution,
but only one of them  persevered in
" well doing."
Frank continued to recommend religion  while  he  lived, and  expired
praising the Saviour for what he had
done for him.  He was buried in a
small cemetery near the school-room,
and on his little grave the  Sundayschool children planted many a flower.
Youthful reader, how  important is
religion to you!  What are  earth's
pleasures when compared with it?  It
will bless you while you live, and it
will comfort and  support you  when
you die.  0, seek it without delay!
"Like snow that falls where water glides,
Earth's pleasures melt away:
They rest on time's resistless tide;
And but a moment stay.




68              JAMES BAIRD.
But joys that from religion flow,
Like stars that gild the night,
And the darkest gloom of woe,
Shine forth with sweetest light.
"Religion's rays no clouds obscure;
But o'er the Christian's soul
It sheds a radiance calm and pure,
Though tempests round him roll;
His heart may break'neath sorrow's stroke,
But to its latest thrill,
Like diamonds shining when they're broke,
That ray will light it stilL"




GLORIOUS REVIVAL.       69
CHAPTER VI.
GLORIOUS REVIVAL.
WE have already remarked that James
had resolved on becoming a Christian.
The solemn warnings of his friend
Frank, as described in the last chapter,
were the principal means of bringing
his mind to a decision on this subject.
He had, as already *noticed, long felt
the importance of religion; but seeing
religion exhibited in the last hours of
his dying friend, as he had never seen
it before, he came to the conclusion that
he would no longer neglect a subject
which he considered of such vast moment.  Having made up his mind to
this course deliberately, nothing could
move him from his purpose. His Sab5




7o          JAMES BAIRD.
bath-school teacher soon ascertained that
he was anxious about the salvation of
his soul, and gave him excellent instruction.  His distress of mind was great.
He felt that he was a great sinner, and
he prayed earnestly that God would
have mercy upon him.  The prayer of
the publican, " God be merciful to me a
sinner," expressed the feelings of his
heart.  His mind was quite dark; and,
at times, he hardly knew what to do.
Food did not relish, and sleep had well
nigh departed from him: the way of
salvation by faith he had not yet learned; but he was determined to persevere
in the pursuit of his object, let the consequences be what they might.
One Sabbath morning he arose at an
early hour, and with a heavy and sinsick heart repaired to the grove for
prayer.  It was a beautiful morning;




GLORIOUS REVIVAL.         71
the air was sweet and balmy; the
earth was clothed in its richest attire,
and all nature seemed to speak forth its
Maker's praise. The birds sang merrily
from  the branches of the trees, but
nothing arrested the attention of James,.-his heart was sad and sorrowful.
Under a large tree he knelt, and in the
deep anguish of his spirit he sought
mercy in the forgiveness of his sins.
It was an hour never to be forgotten.
He cried  earnestly to the Lord for
help; he agonized in mighty prayer;
he felt that he could not leave the
place with such a burden upon his
heart.  He gave up all: he could indeed say," Here, Lord, I give myself away,-'T is all that I can do."
He said, "Lord Jesus, save me, or I




72          JAMES BAIRD.
perish!" Faith took hold on the atoning merit of Christ, and in a moment
his soul was set at liberty. What a
change!  Who can describe it?  The
trees, the earth, the sky, all seemed to
have changed their appearance; everything now appeared lovely,-everything
seemed to offer praise to God.  The
sun had now just begun to throw its
rays upon the distant hill tops, and the
birds continued their shrill notes among
the branches of the trees. James felt
that he was in a new world.  He was,
for the first time in his life, truly hap.
py,-such joy he had never before experienced.  He might have exclaimed,
"0 Lord, I will praise thee; though
thou wast angry with me, thine anger
is turned away, and thou comfortest
me." The language of the poet sweetly
described his experience:



GLORIOUS REVIVAL.          IS
"My God is reconciled,
His pard'ning voice I hear;
He owns me for his child,
I can no longer fear;
With confidence I now draw nigh,
And Father, Abba, Father, cry."
He returned to the cottage, praising
the Lord.  His mother rejoiced with
him; but his father thought that he
had been led away by some strange
delusion.  But James knew  that he
was happy, and he knew, too, that he
had not been deceived.  "Whereas, he
was once blind, he now  saw."   He
went to the Sunday school, and told his
young friends what the Lord had done
for him.  Many listened to him, and
believed what he said.  The superintendent proposed, at the close, to spend
a little time in prayer.  It was an
affecting moment.  Many wept freely,
and some earnestly inquired what they




74         JAMES BAIRD.
should do to be saved. Such was the
feeling manifested, that another meeting
for prayer was appointed for that Sabbath evening. And what a nfeeting it
was! Parents and children were seen
together weeping, and crying aloud for
mercy. Some, too, who had been bitter enemies to religion, were now on
their knees in earnest supplication to
God. Fervent prayer was offered by
several present, and many a sin-sick
soul was made to rejoice in the pardoning love of God.  James was very
anxious for his schoolmates, many of
whom he now saw earnestly seeking
the Lord.
This revival continued many weeks.
About sixty "passed from death unto
life."  Most of them were persons residing in the village; a few lived in the
surrounding country.  Among them




GLORIOUS REVIVAL.       75
were persons of nearly all ages; but a
large proportion of them were youths,
most of whom belonged to the Sunday
school.
We have already referred to a little
girl, who came to the school with a
sorrowful countenance, holding in her
hand a Bible which she had received
from a dying mother.  Her name was
Betsey. Her mother was a good woman, and had given her some religious
instruction.  Soon after the revival
commenced, Betsey gave her heart to
the Saviour, and experienced the forgiveness of her sins. She felt deeply
interested for her ungodly father: she
would converse with him on the subject
of religion, and earnestly entreat him to
seek the salvation of his soul.  His
hard heart would at times feel deeply
aflected; but he would  resist the




'6          JAMES BAIRD.
Spirit's influence, and resolve still to
pursue his old course.
One evening, as his little daughter
was about to retire for the night, she
came to her father, and, with tears in
her eyes, affectionately besought him to
be "reconciled to God."   He could
scarcely resist the earnest entreaty.
He, however, ordered her to go to bed,
as if he did not wish to hear anything
further from her on the subject. She
could not sleep: she commenced praying for her father, for she now felt that
all she could do was to carry his case to
the Lord.
The wicked man, in passing to his
sleeping apartment, heard the voice of
his little daughter in prayer.  He listened, and soon he heard her say, "0
Lord, save my dear father!" This took
a deep hold of his heart, and he resolved




GLORIOUS REVIVAL.       77
on becoming a Christian. He spent the
night in prayer. In the morning, while
earnestly praying in his barn, the Lord
spoke peace to his troubled soul.
Betsey now felt that she could desire
no more; she was exceedingly happy.
Her father could now rejoice with her;
and most of the day was spent in prayer
and praise.
James had felt a special interest for
Chauncey S  -, who was regarded as
a very bad boy. He had been induced
to attend the Sunday school, but when
the revival commenced he violently opposed it. He looked upon the revival
as a mere excitement, which would in
a short time pass away; and he often
remarked, that he thought those who
had professed to be converted, would,
after a few months, return as usual to
their old habits and practices. He even




78          JAMES BAIRD.
went so far as to trifle with the subject
of religion, and in one or two instances
he was found disturbing the religious
exercises. His heart was hard, and the
evil spirit at times well nigh took possession of him.  Many prayers were
offered in his behalf, and the Holy
Spirit strove with him. At length he
was brought to see himself a sinner,
and he earnestly sought "redemption
in Christ's blood, even the forgiveness
of sins."  He had such a sense of his
lost condition that he well nigh sunk
into despair.  His conviction for sin
was deep and pungent; and what gave
him great trouble was his opposition to
the revival: this almost overwhelmed
him in deep anguish of spirit.
"I have opposed the revival," he
would exclaim; "I have ridiculed the
people of God, and have disturbed their




GLORIOUS REVIVAL.        79
religious meetings; can there be mercy
for such a sinner as I am?"
A young lady, who had been " made
a new creature" during the revival, was
made an instrument of good to his soul.
She had passed through similar exercises of mind, though she had not
gone so far in transgression: she knew
how to administer encouragement to his
despairing mind; and truly her words
were greatly blessed in his salvation.
While she was directing him to look to
the Saviour for pardon, assuring him
that he would turn none away unblest
who came truly penitent, light shone
into his dark mind, and he felt some
degree of comfort within.  His peace
increased, and in a short time he became very happy in a Saviour's love.
When James heard of the conversion
of his friend Chauncey, for whom  he




80         JAMES BAIRD.
had earnestly prayed, he was overjoyed, and immediately went to see
him. Their meeting was truly a joyful
one: they rejoiced together, " with joy
unspeakable, and full of glory."
A Church was formed in the village;
and a house of worship was soon erected,
in which the word of life was preached
every Sabbath.
Thus has God owned and blessed
Sunday schools in promoting the work
of revivals. Reader, are you a member
of a Sunday school?  If so, remember
that you are highly favored; God has
blessed you above thousands of youth.
But let not your distinguished privileges
aggravate your ruin: "Seek the Lord
while he may be found, and call upon
him while he is near."  Delay not, for
thy soul is in danger!  The poet has
well said:




A@
MEETING OF JAMES AND HIS FRIEND.








GLORIOUS REVIVAL.                83
"'T is but a short, uncertain space,
Allow'd us here to live;
Death, unperceived, comes on apace,
And may no warning give.
Nor great, nor small, nor old, nor young,
His fatal dart can fly;
The rich, the poor, the weak, the strong,
Without distinction die.
"Each day, for anything we know,
May prove to be our last;
For death may strike the fatal blow
Ere the next hour be past
" The present moment let us seize,
For this alone is ours;
Now set ourselves our God to please,
With all our active powers.
"To-day, while it is cali'd to-day,
Let us regard his voice;
Since danger must attend delay,
Where God has given advice.




84          JAMES BAIRD.
CHAPTER VII.
THE WAY  TO DO  GOOD.
JAMES continued to walk worthy of the
profession he had made.  He devoted
all his time to some useful employment.
The subject of religion was the theme
of his conversation: whenever he had
an opportunity he would recommend
religion to others; but few  of the
youth, especially, escaped his attention.
All believed him  sincere and pious;
and though some thought him too religious, yet they were generally willing
to listen to his pious counsels and exhortations.
There was a neighborhood in another
part of the town where but very few
religious people lived,-most were dis



THE WAY TO DO GOOD.       85
posed to ridicule religion.  Intemperance and Sabbath-breaking prevailed to
a fearful extent. Most of the children
neglected the Sunday school.  James
and one or two of his companions determined to hold a religious meeting at the
school-house in that neighborhood. Notice was given of the meeting, but who
were to conduct the services was not
generally known. Curiosity led many
to attend; among them  was a man
noted for his abilities, a leading man of
the town, but who, unhappily, had become quite skeptical in his views of
religion.
The meeting was opened by prayer..
James and his companions then related,
in a simple and unaffected manner, what
the Lord had done for them. The word
reached many hearts; all felt that a
divine influence was resting upon them,




86         JAMES BAIRD.
-no outward opposition was manifested.
The skeptic to whom we referred had
heard nothing like it before: he was
astonished at the boldness of the youthful speakers, and the spirit they mani.
fested fully convinced him  of their
sincerity. He thought that they must
possess something above mere natural
gifts in order to speak as they had
done.  On his way home, a friend
asked him how he liked the meeting.
"They were undoubtedly sincere," he
replied; "but it is nothing but boy's
play."  An arrow of truth had, however, reached his heart, and it was with
much effort that he could suppress his
feelings: the Spirit of God had taken
hold of him in earnest, and he felt that
to resist it would be extremely hazardous.
On reaching home, he went to his




THE WAY TO DO GOOD.       87
barn, and there, for the first time, he
bowed his knee in prayer; and such
was his distress of mind that he spent
nearly the whole night in earnest supplication for the pardon of his sins. In
the morning he read the Scriptures, and
prayed in his family.  Within a few
days he obtained a conscious sense of
his acceptance with God.  He now
boldly declared what great things the
Lord had done for him. Multitudes of
his neighbors became pious, and the
work of God went on in great power
for several months; nearly every family
in the neighborhood became a praying
family. The Sabbath was now respected
and observed. Thus did the Lord bless
the labors of his young servants in promoting his glorious cause.
James delighted much in visiting the
iick, and to such he was often made a
6




88          JAMES BAIRD.
great blessing. On learning that any
of his young friends were sick, he would
immediately hasten to their bedside to
recommend to them the sinner's Friend.
The only child of Mr. W —, the
merchant to whom  we have already
referred, was taken dangerously ill, and
all hopes'were given up of her recovery.
James had known her for some time, as
he had often been at her father's house,
and had been befriended by the family.
He felt a deep interest in her spiritual
welfare, and obtained permission to converse with her on the subject.  He
soon learned that she was conscious of
her near approach to eternity; and also
that she was exceedingly troubled in
mind, feeling that she was unprepared
to die.
" Do you think," said Martha, "that
God will forgive my sins?"




THE WAY TO DO GOOD.       89
"0 yes," said James;' "he has forgiven my sins, and he is willing to
forgive yours."
"What shall I do to obtain forgiveness?" anxiously inquired Martha.
"You must be willing to renounce
all your sins, and give the Saviour your
heart," answered James.  "You must
also believe that Jesus Christ will accept
you as his child. He died to save you;
he is interceding for you in heaven
now; and, 0, how willing he is to save
you!"
On leaving, he urged her to give her
heart to the Saviour at once; informing
her that he would see her again in the
morning. During the iight she was
enabled to receive Christ as her Saviour,
and obtained a clear sense of her acceptance with him. On James entering the
room  in the morning, she exclaimed,




90          JAMES BAIRD.
"O, I am happy!  The Lord blessed
me last night! 0, how happy I feel!
I am now ready to die!"
James was much rejoiced on finding
his young friend in such a happy state
of mind. She continued to suffer much
in body for about two days, and then
died in great peace. Her happy death
made a deep impression on the minds
of many who witnessed the scene.
Martha was a lovely child,-the idol
of the family.  Her parents mourned
deeply over her departure, but they felt
that she was far better off than she
could have been in this world of sorrow.
They were led to see the uncertainty
of all earthly things, and to feel deeply
the importance of preparing to meet
their daughter in the better land," Where sickness, sorrow, pain, and death,
Are fear'd and felt no more."




THE WAY TO DO GOOD.      91
CHAPTER VIII.
WHAT A SUNDAY SCHOOL CAN DO.
ABOUT this time James read a very interesting story, showing what a Sunday
school had accomplished by its effort to
do good. This story had a most happy
influence on his own mind: hoping it
will have a similar effect on other
minds, we give the substance of it as
follows:A little girl, in one of the largest and
pleasantest towns in New-England, once
proposed to her pastor that the children
of his congregation should form themselves into a Juvenile Tract Society.
The minister approved of the plan, and
the next Sabbath he invited all the
children between certain ages to meet




92         JAMES BAIRD.
at his study, on the next Saturday
afternoon. They did so, and he assisted them to form the society. Their
tax was to be twelve and a half cents,
annually; and the tracts which they
received they were first to read themselves, and then to lend or give to
others.
After two or three years, however,
the monthly tract distribution having
gone into operation, it was thought
best to relinquish tracts, and do something else with their money. But let
us look in a moment upon a meeting
of the society, and listen to their deliberations.
Imagine a room  filled with little
girls, all animated and happy.  The
center of the room is occupied by a
table, upon which are placed paper,
pens, and ink. The hour for opening




THE WAY TO DO GOOD.        93
arrives, and all kneeling, unite with
their pastor in a short prayer.  After
the officers for the year are chosen, the
question arises, "What shall be done
with our money?"
" I should like to give it to the Missionary Society," says one.   Others
proposed other objects on which to bestow  their contributions;  but, after
some further consultation, the president
of the society addressed them  as follows:
"There are many Sunday schools in
the country which are almost entirely
destitute of a library: I know of some
where a book larger than a tract is
scarcely to be found. A friend of mine
told me of one where the foundation of
a library was laid, a few years ago, by
stitching together several little tracts of
four or five pages each, and covering




94          JAMES BAIRD.
them  with strong brown paper; and
that the people had manifested great
eagerness to read them.  Now, why
would it not be a good plan, if we could
find some such school, to send it a donation of a little library?"
This plan seemed to strike all favorably, and committees were chosen to
carry it into effect. One was to collect
the money; another to select books,
which were to be examined by the
pastor before they were sent; and the
third was to prepare a letter. Every
part was accordingly attended to: the
money was collected, the books purchased, and the letter written. It was
decided that their pastor should take
the donation with him  on a contemplated journey, and find, by inquiry, a
suitable school to receive it.
It may be interesting to the reader




THE WAY TO DO GOOD.       95
to -see a copy of the letter.  Here
it is:
"As our pastor anticipates making a
journey into the western country, we
have availed ourselves of the opportunity to supply some destitute Sunday
school with a small library; and we
hope that the present, although small,
will be both acceptable and useful.
" Previously we had purchased tracts
and Testaments for ourselves, with the
money; but, being supplied with both,
we have concluded to devote it to this
object; and hoping that the school on
which our pastor shall bestow  this
library may receive lasting benefit from
the perusal of these books, we close by
subscribing ourselves,-THE  JUVENILE
TRACT SOCIETY OF."
The scene of our narrative now




96          JAMES BAIRD.
changes. We must leave the rich and
populous village, and go, in imagination,
to a secluded region, on a distant frontier, surrounded by wild mountains and
forests, among which the hardy settlers
cultivate their scattered farms.
It was Sabbath afternoon: a large
covered wagon, drawn by two horses,
drove up to the door of the superintendent's farm-house, to take him and
his family to the distant Sunday school.
The party were soon seated, and rode
first through an open field, and then
came upon a rough road, which led
them, through tangled woods and wild
valleys, to a remote district, where the
school was established.  They crossed
rough log bridges; and in some places
deep mire, and in others rocks and
stumps, obstructed their way.
At length a school-house was in sight.




THE WAY TO DO GOOD.        97
Behind it was a range of lofty, hills, in
some places bare and rugged, in others
clothed with vegetation  to  the top.
Directly in front was a narrow, cultivated field, and beyond that a dense
native forest. The school-house itself
stood on the bank of a ravine, through
which a mountain torrent found its way
at certain seasons of the year. It was
a small house, rough in its external ap
pearance, and still more so within.
Several small groups of men and boys
were standing around the house, and
some little bustle was produced among
them by the arrival of the superintendent and his party.  As they entered
the building, they found the room well
filled with the pupils and teachers of the
school, and others who had assembled to
witness the exercises. There were thirty
or forty scholars collected from the fam



98          JAMES BAIRD.
ilies of the settlers, who were scattered
among the hills for many miles around.
They, with the teachers, occupied the
body of the school-house; while the
parents and friends, who made the
whole number present sixty or seventy,
took the other seats.
Poverty was evidently in the homes
of many of the children.  Some were
barefoot; others had come a long way
with nothing but handkerchiefs over
their heads. All, however, looked clean,
healthy, intelligent, and, what was still
better, seemed thirsting for instruction
in the way to life. The Sabbath school
furnished their only opportunity for receiving it. 
The school was opened with prayer,
and the scholars began their recitations
from  the Bible.  The room was now
still, except the low, murmuring sounds




THE WAY TO DO GOOD.       99
that rose from the little groups that
surrounded their several teachers. The
person whose office was to distribute
books, then stepped up to the desk of
the superintendent, and taking from it a
bundle of old tracts and tattered books,
-their only library,-offered one to
each of the visitors.
The worn and soiled collection was
afterward carried round to the classes,
and each pupil had an opportunity to
take one; and from the air of satisfaction and pleasure, and sometimes eagerness, with which it was done, it was
evident that access to the library, meager as it was, was a valued privilege.
The superintendent then asked a few
questions on the lesson of the preceding
Sabbath.  They were answered with
hesitation and reluctance.  It might
have been doubted whether this pro.



100         JAMES BAIRD.
ceeded from ignorance or fear, till a
mother, who had listened with eager
interest to all that had passed, rose and
said, earnestly, "Sir, I am sure our
children  remember what you  said.
They are bashful; they are afraid to
speak here, but they have talked about
it at home several times."
After an hour spent as usual in the
exercises of the school, the signal was
given for preparing to close. The superintendent then rose, and opening a little
package of books, which was lying on
the desk before him, he made a statement somewat as follows:"I have some business to bring before the school, before it is closed. In
a town several hundred miles from this
place, some children, who had formed
themselves into a Tract Society, have
conributed a -sum  of money, which




THE WAY TO DO GOOD.    101
they  have expended  in  purchasing
eighteen bound volumes of Sundayschool books, for the purpose of presenting them to some newly-established
Sunday school.  They were sent by
their pastor, who has been journeying
in this vicinity, and who is now present;
and, after some inquiry, he has concluded to offer them to this school."
The expression of gladness'which
animated all the countenances present
showed how the gift was valued.
The superintendent then said, that,
as he had supposed an expression of
thanks would be proper, he had prepared a letter, which he would read to
the school, to see if it met their approbation. The letter was read, and adopted with an eagerness of manner which
showed how sincere was their gratitude.
All were anxious to get one of the in



102         JAMES BAIRD.
teresting volumes; but as there were
not enough to supply each scholar, the
books were distributed in the different
families.
At last a hymn was sung, and the
school was closed.  You might, however, have seen the children, as they
were returning to their homes, walking
along in little groups, earnestly examining their new treasures. And, probably,
during the long evenings of the following winter, many a farmer's fireside was
cheered by the influence of these volumes; and it is not too much to hope
that some were guided by them to purer
joys and a more happy home than earth
can afford.
Encouraged by this and other examples, James became more and more
interested in doing good to his young
friends, and his efforts were blessed to




THE WAY TO DO GOOD.    103
the good of many.  Multituaes will
long remember his pious labors for their
good.  He took great satisfaction in
distributing tracts, which some pious
friends had placed in his hands for that
purpose.  These, in several instances,
were instrumental in arresting the attention of the thoughtless, and directing
it to the interests of their souls. Some
of the happy results of his labors will be
seen in the following chapters.
7




104         JAMES BAIRD.
CHAPTER IX.
TEMPERANCE M:EETING.,
A TEMPERANCE meeting was held, about
this time, at the school-house in the
neighborhood where James lived. This
was something new, as there had been
no meeting of the kind held in that part
of the. town before.  These meetings
had been held in different places in this
and the adjoining towns, but they had
met with great opposition. Most of the
people used ardent spirit: they considered it indispensably necessary in the
time of "haying" and "harvesting;"
and on particular occasions, such as
being greatly exposed to heat or cold,
its use was considered all important.
The people generally made cider, which




TEMPERWNCE MEETING.    105
they used very freely as a beverage.
Some families consumed not less than
thirty or forty barrels a year, besides
one or two barrels of cider-brandy.
Large quantities of grain were raised
in that part of the country,-it being a
farming community,-and most of it
was sent to the distillers, and converted
into gin or whisky. This article, too,
was used very freely: it was not an
uncommon thing for some families to
use two barrels of gin in a single year.
In a community where such a state of
things existed, temperance meetings
would find but little favor; in some
instances, these  meetings had been
broken up by the rabble.
James, on learning of the appointment of the meeting, resolved to attend,
though he made known his intentions
to no one at the time. He had heard




106        JAMES BAIRD.
much said against these meetings, but
he was now determined to ascertain
their true character for himself. There
were but few present, and mostly young
persons. Deacon W —  was present,
who, for several years, had been known
as an active temperance man, and who
had been greatly persecuted for the
course he had taken on the subject.
The lecturer was Mr. C-, a minister
of a neighboring parish, who for several
years had lectured occasionally on the
subject, and in several instances had
come near being mobbed while attempting to dissuade the people from using
intoxicating liquors. He spoke on this
occasion of the evils of intemperance,
which he presented in a true and striking light. He named several instances,
for illustration, some of which were
known to James, and which deeply




TEMPERANCE MEETING.    107
affected his mind.  The case of Mr.
W-     was spoken of, who lived in
the nearest house to the one in which
James resided.  It was a sad story,
and greatly affected the audience: the
particulars were as follows:Mr. W —   was the son of Colonel
W-, who for some years had been
the most wealthy and influential man
in the town. His son had been educated at one of the principal colleges in
New-England, and early entered upon
the practice of law. He married a lady
of high standing and of fortune; and'
settled in life with fine prospects of
success in business, and of great social
and domestic enjoyment.  Everything
went on pleasantly and prosperously
for a time.  They had settled in a
pleasant village in C  -, and were
surrounded seemingly with every bless



108        JAMES BAIRD.
ing that could contribute to make life
pleasant and agreeable.  They were
blessed with three lovely children, who
were dear to the parents' hearts.
Mr. W -, unfortunately, associated
with those who indulged in the use of
intoxicating drinks, and he soon acquired an appetite for them, though at
first he used nothing but wines and the
more costly liquors. But the appetite
for strong drink was soon formed, and
it proved his ruin. He gradually lost
his extensive and lucrative practice;
debts accumulated that he was unable
to meet; his health began to fail, and
he was obliged to leave the place, and
repair to the town where his father then
resided. There he was under the necessity of renting a poor tenement, near
that of Mr. Baird. Distressed family!
Mrs. W   - wept tears of sorrow,



TEMPERANCE MEETING.    109
she was broken-hearted and disconsolate.
At times, her anguish seemed more than
she could bear.  She found a sympathizing friend in Mrs. Baird, who had
passed through similar trials. A dark
prospect was before her; but she now
learned the importance of trusting in
the Saviour of sinners.
Her husband continued to grow worse
and worse in dissipation, till at length
he was unable to attend to any business, and gave himself up almost wholly
to the society of the intemperate. On
one cold winter's night, returning from
a low groggery, where he often spent
his evenings in dissipation, and being
intoxicated, he fell by the way-side,
and there froze to death!  Such is
often the end of the intemperate on
earth.
James was well acquainted with the




110        JAMES BAIRD.
fatherless children, the oldest being one
of his intimate companions. When the
above case was referred to by the speaker, James became deeply affected. It
brought to mind many things that he
had experienced.
At the close of the lecture, a pledge
was presented, in nearly the following
language:"We, the undersigned, do hereby
agree not to use distilled liquors as a
beverage, nor to furnish them for the
use of others."
The speaker observed that the pledge
was a simple one,-one that all could
understand;-and he wished all that
were willing to live up to it to put
down their names.
As there seemed to be great backwardness on the part of the people in
giving their names, James broke over








I        I'i ~             I~1....ll  i
CIRC.ULATING THE PTEDGE




TEMPERANCE MEETING.    113
his embarrassment, approached the table, and wrote his name on the pledge,
and urged his young friends to do the
same.  Several of them  followed,twenty-five signing the pledge, in all.
This the lecturer thought was doing
well for the first meeting, and appointed
another meeting of the same kind, at
the same place, in two weeks from that
evening.
As the meeting closed, an old gentleman who was present, and who had
been a revolutionary soldier, addressed
James as follows:"My young friend, do you know
what you have done to-night?"
"Yes, sir," replied James, frankly:
"I suppose you refer to my signing the
pledge."
" But did you know that you signed
away your liberty?"




114        JAMES BAIRD.
"No, sir," said James; " but may I
ask, what liberty?"
"Why, you know, I fought for liberty. I suffered too much to obtain it
to sign it away as you have done."
"I was aware that you and others
fought for our national independence,
and this certainly is a very great blessing; but I was not aware that you
fought for liberty to drink rum. For
my part, I want no such liberty."
The old gentleman soon found that
James understood what he was about,
and concluded that he had better dismiss the subject, and make his way
home.
There was a rumseller present, who
used hard words to James because he
had signed the pledge. James tried to
show him  the dreadful nature of his
business, but he would not listen, and




TEMPERANCE MEETING.    115
turned away in a rage,-he could not
hear the truth.
The following dialogue is copied, to
illustrate the dreadful character of the
rumseller's business:
A  company of individuals united
themselves together in  a " Mutual
Benefit Association." The blacksmith
comes, and says, " Gentlemen, I wish
to become a member of your association."
"Well, what can you do?" was the
inquiry.
" 0  I can shoe your horses, iron
your carriages, and make all kinds of
iron implements."
"Very well; come in, Mr. Blacksmith."
The mason applies for admission into
the society.
" And what can you do, Mr. Mason?"




116        JAMES BAIRD.
", I can build your barns, and
houses, and stables, and bridges."
"Very well; come in: we can't do
without you."
Along comes the shoemaker, and
says, "I wish to become a member of
your society."
"Well, and what can you do?"
"I can make and mend your boots
and shoes."
" Come in, Mr. Shoemaker; we must
have you."
So, in turn, apply all the different
trades and professions, till, lastly, an
individual comes, and wants to become
a member.
"And what are you?"
"I am a rumseller." 
"A rumseller! What can you do?"
"I can build jails, and prisons, and
poor-houses."




TEMPERANCE MEETING.    117
"And is that all?"
"No; I can fill them: I can fill your
jails with criminals, your prisons with
convicts, and your poor-houses with
paupers."
"And what else can you do?"
"I can bring the gray hairs of the
aged to the grave with sorrow; I can
break the heart of the wife, and blast
the prospects of the friends of talent,
and fill your land with more than the
plagues of Egypt."
" Is that all you can do?"
Come, come!" cries the rumseller;
" is not that enough?"
Surely, it is enough! Dreadful business!  How  many has it ruined, for
time and eternity I




118        JiAMES BAIRD.
CHAPTER X.
THE RECLAIMED.
JAMES now became deeply interested in
the cause of temperance, and resolved
to do what he could for its promotion.
He persuaded many of his young friends
to sign the temperance pledge; and distributed a large quantity of temperance
tracts, which he obtained of a friend.
He became deeply anxious for his father,
and, though far gone by intemperarfce,
he hoped that he might be reclaimed.
As the second temperance meeting,
already noticed, drew near, he began to
persuade his father to attend. At first
his prospect of success was very small,
but he persevered till he obtained the
promise that he would be present at the




THE RECLAIMED.        119
meeting. This, to James and his mother, was a matter of rejoicing; still, they
could hardly anticipate a favorable result.  The evening came, and James,
with his father and mother, started for
the meeting, and arrived just in time to
listen to the preliminary exercises. The
Rev. Mr. C-, who was-to lecture,
prayed earnestly that the blessing of
God might attend the services of the
evening.  He prayed especially for that
unfortunate class of persons who had
brought themselves to disgrace and ruin
by intemperance.
-During prayer, Mr. Baird seemed
much affected, and tears ran freely
from his eyes.
The speaker dwelt, in his lecture,
particularly on the influence of intemperance on health, property, and domestic
and social happiness.  Mr. Baird felt




120        JAMES BAIRD.
the force of what was said, and concluded that he would become temperate; but would not, for the present,
sign the pledge.  A  neighbor of his
was present, who had often befriended
Mr. Baird, and who felt deeply interested that he should sign the pledge.
Mr. Baird could not refuse his earnest
solicitations, and, with much apparent
reluctance, consented to write his name
under the pledge.
Mrs. Baird and James were full of
hope, and the moment they saw what was
done they could not refrain from giving
expression to the overwhelming emotions of their hearts. Tears of joy ran
down their cheeks,-such an event they
had never expected to see. James and
his mother now felt that their prayers
were answered, and that they ought to
give thanks unto the Lord for what




THE RECLAIMED.         121
he had done.  They went home re.
joicing.
Mr. Baird now commenced a new
course of life. He forsook his old companions, and no longer visited the rumseller. He gave up his old business of
basket-making, and took an adjoining
farm to cultivate. Here he found employment for himself and James: they
raised a large quantity of vegetables,
for which they found an excellent market a few miles distant.  They were
greatly prospered.  The first season
they cleared, above all their expenses, a
handsome sum. A happier family could
not be found: it is true, they had no
splendid mansion, nor riches of which
to boast; but they possessed, what was
far better, social and domestic happiness.
Their home had already become delightful.
8




122        JAMES BAIRD.
James continued to take an active
part in the Sunday school.  He still
took great pleasure in getting his lessons; a work which he seldom failed to
perform, though he often sat up late on
Saturday nights to do it.  The Bible
had become to him a deeply interesting
book, and was read with great satisfaction.  His Sunday-school books were
read with eagerness, and seldom was
one returned without being read once,
if not oftener. One Sabbath he returned with that excellent little book, called
"The Dairyman's Daughter."   Mrs.
Baird had read this work some years
before, and had spoken of it highly to
her son. James commenced reading it
at once, and could hardly lay it down
till it was finished. Mr. Baird noticed
James's special interest in the book,
and made some inquiries respecting it.




THE RECLAIMED.        123
James most gladly explained to his
father the character of the work, and
earnestly recommended him to read it,
which he consented to do.
James earnestly prayed that the book
might be made a blessing to his father.
Mr. Baird had read but a few pages before he became interested in it, and the
interest increased as he proceeded.
When he came to that part of the work
where Mr. Richmond describes the dying scene of the Dairyman's Daughter,
he became much affected. He clearly
saw how grace could enable a Christian
to die; and he began to see more fully
the importance of becoming a Christian.
The Spirit of the Lord was evidently
striving with him, and James saw that
he had come to a crisis,-that he must
then decide the point, whether he would
give his heart to God or not.




124        JAMES BAIRD.
On the following Sabbath, James invited his father to accompany him to
meeting, to hear the Rev. Mr. P,
who was expected to preach that day.
The meeting was held in the church,
near the village already noticed. Mr.
P. preached from the words, "Ye
must be born again."  It was a close,
pointed, searching discourse, and just
adapted to Mr. Baird's case. The word
reached his heart, and he began to feel
that he was a great sinner. His sins
now towered before him like mountains,
and he felt as though he should sink
under them. He returned home with
a heavy heart, and deeply oppressed in
spirit. James, knowing somewhat the
state of his father's mind, proposed in
the evening that a portion of Scripture
be read, and that a season be spent in
prayer. It devolved on James to lead




THE RECLAIMED.          125
in the services, though he felt it to be
a very great cross to do so.  It was
truly a solemn time. Mrs. Baird was
bathed in tears. James tried to pray,
but he found it difficult to give utterance to his desires. Mr. Baird groaned
in spirit, and seemed to despair of finding mercy.
The time came for retirement, but
sleep had departed.  James told his
father that there was mercy for him,that, though he had been a great sinner,
he might be saved,-that Jesus died to
save sinners, even the chief of sinners,
-and that he would turn none away
unblessed who came to him with a truly
penitent heart.  He also repeated to
him  that beautiful hymn, which has
been made a blessing to thousands:"Come, humble sinner, in whose breast
A thousand thoughts revolve,




126             JAMES BAIT-).
Come, with your guilt and fear oppress'd,
And make this last resolve:
"I'11 go to Jesus, though my sin
Like mountains round me close;
I know his courts, I'll enter in, 
Whatever may oppose.
"Prostrate I'11 lie before his throne,
And there my guilt'confess;
I'll tell him, I'm a wretch undone
Without his sov'reign grace.
"Perhaps he will admit my plea,
Perhaps will hear my prayer;
But, if I perish, I will pray,
And perish only there.
" I can but perish if I goI am resolved to try;
For if I stay away, I know
I must forever die."
The  clock  struck  twelve, and  still
Mr. Baird seemed pressed under a load
of guilt, as a " cart beneath its sheaves."
Another  season  was  spent in  prayer.
Several  passages  were  repeated, con



THE RECLAIMED.         127
taining encouraging promises: the passage, " Come unto me, all ye that labor,
and are heavy laden, and I will give
you rest,' particularly interested him;
he felt that he might be one to whom
this passage was addressed.
At length he was enabled to trust in
the Saviour with all his heart, and he
felt that he was accepted.  It was a
glorious, a memorable hour,-they all
rejoiced together.  What a change!
Now, parents and son could pray together, and rejoice in prospect of meeting in heaven.
Regular family worship was now
commenced.  The father and the son,
and not anfrequently the mother, took
a part in the services.  They were
delightful scenes-such  as  resemble
heaven.  Family worship!  Many a
youth who reads these lines will call to




128             JAMES BAIRD.
remembrance the  occasions when  they
bowed  around  the  family  altar,  and
when prayer, as holy incense, ascended
to the Father of mercies.
The  poet, in  the  following  lines,
beautifully represents the feelings of
many hearts:"We will not say the former days
Were better than our ownThat softer fell the dews of heaven,
Or the sun more brightly shoneThat the stars look'd down with a sweeter light
Through the depths of the azure skyOr that wandering zephyrs touch'd the notes
Of a richer harmony.
"For we know Jehovah's word is pledged
For the sunshine and the dew;
The flowers may fade, but the breath of spring
Shall their wasted life renew;
And the anthem of nature's praise is hymn'd
Through changing years the same,
And to countless ages the stars of night
Their story shall proclaim.




THE RECLAIMED.               129
" But we miss, 0! we miss, in the homes of men,
The holy song of praiseThe sweet and solemn strain is hush'd,
And we sigh for the former days.
Is the smile of heavenly lov8 withdrawn?
Is the time of blessing o'er?
Have we no more a God in heavenA Father to adore?
"Not silent are our blessed dead,
Though their work on earth is done;
The struggle and the gloom are past,
And the glory has begun.
The beauty of the sinless land
Shines radiant on each brow,
And a song of joy and happiness
Is the song they're singing now.
"Awake, ye children of them who sleep
In the bed of peaceful rest,
And let your voices blend again
With the anthems of the blest!
We know ye learn'd at your fathers' hearth
The hymn of love and praise;
I t us hear your song with your children nowThe songs of your early days I




130             JAMES BAIRD.
"01 so sweet on the breath of the balmy air
Shall the sound of such music be,
That passing angels may pause to hear,
And rejoice in the melody!
And soft as evening dews that fall
When no rude wind is stirr'd,
Shall the peace of heaven on that home descend,
Where the worship of God is heard."




TRIUMPHS OF GRACE.      181
CHAPTER XI.
TRIUMPHS OF GRACE.
MR. BAIRD soon connected himself with
the Church, and became a devoted
Christian. His neighbors and friends
saw the great change which had been
wrought, and " took knowledge of him
that he had been with Jesus."  But his
time on earth was now short: his work
was nearly done. He was "as a brand
plucked out of the burning."  Disease
had fastened itself upon him with a
strong hand; and it was evident to all
that he must soon enter the spiritland.
James became much affected in view
of his father's state of health, but felt




132         JAMES BAIRD.
that all would be right. He had learned
to submit to the dispensations of Providence: he felt nothing of the murmuring spirit in his heart, and could say,
"The Lord's will be done."
As Mr. Baird declined in health,
James was very attentive to his necessities, and did everything in his power
to make him comfortable.  One night,
after a very severe time of coughing,his disease was consumption,-he seemed much exhausted, and sunk into a
state of insensibility. James became
much alarmed, fearing he would die immediately.  Shortly, however, he revived; and James proceeded to converse
with him  respecting the state of his
mind.  Much to his own satisfaction
and comfort, his father said, "I feel
that my whole trust is in the Lord;
and I am confident that he accepts me




TRIUMPHS OF GRACE.      133
as his child.  0, the goodness of the
Lord to me! Most of my life has been
spent in transgression: I was far gone
in sin, but he had mercy upon me.
0, what comfort I have felt since I
gave my heart to him! —no tongue can
express it! My days are few on earth,
--  shall soon be gone.  But, 0, the
glorious prospects before me!  I am
going home!"
At one time, his joy was so great
that he.broke out in ecstasy, and
praised the Lord with a loud voice.
He continued very peaceful, and, at
times, triumphant, till he breathed his
last. He departed in the full assurance
of hope.
"Christ triumphed for his saints,"
says John Angel James, "by his own
death; and he is continually renewing
the victory in them, amid all the suffer



134        JAMES BAIRD.
ing and decay of their own dissolution."
"Thanks be unto God who giveth us
the victory, through our Lord Jesus
Christ."
Mr. Baird's funeral was attended on
the Sabbath by a large concourse of
people, who followed his remains to
their resting place.  An appropriate
sermon was preached on the occasion,
by the Rev. Mr. P, from the words,
" 0 death, where is thy sting?" &c. He
took occasion to refer to what grace had
done for Mr. Baird.  He regarded it
as one of the most striking instances of
the triumph of grace he had ever known.
"What," said he, "cannot the Lord do!
You have seen the great change that
has been wrought in your neighbor and
friend; you have seen his consistent
and devoted life since his conversion;
you have seen how he was supported




TRIUMPHS OF GRACE.         135
and sustained in his last sickness; and
you have seen how he died."  He took
occasion to exhort his hearers to seek
the same great change; not to put it
off till old age or a sick-bed, but to seek
it now, in youth, in health.
James and his mother were greatly
comforted and sustained under their bereavement, and rejoiced greatly in prospect of soon  arriving  at that world
where sickness and sorrow  will never
come.  Glorious world!  Sin has never
entered there to blast human hopes, or
to cause a painful separation of friends.
There health, beauty, friendship, and
holy communion, will be the portion of
the saints. How truthful the following
lines:
"No sickness there!
No weary wasting of the frame away;
No fearful shrinking from the midnight air;
No dread of summer's bright and fervid ray!




136             JAMES BAIRD.
"No hidden grief,
No wild and cheerless vision of despair;
No vain petition for a swift relief;
No tearful eye, no broken heart, are there.
"Care has no home
Within that realm of ceaseless praise and song;
Its tossing billows break and melt in foam,
Far fromn the mansions of the spirit throng.
" The storm's black wing
Is never spread athwart celestial skies!
Its wailings blend not with the voice of spring,
As some too tender floweret fades and dies.
"No night distills
Its chilling dews upon the tender frame:
No moon is needed there! the light which fills
That land of glory, from its Maker came.
" No parted friends
O'er mournful recollections have to weep;
No bed of death enduring love attends,
To watch the coming of a pulseless sleep!
"No blasted flower
Or wither'd bud celestial gardens know;
No scorching blast or fierce descending shower
Scatters destruction like a ruthless foe!




TRIUMPHS OF GRACE.             137
" No battle word
Startles the sacred hosts with fear and dread!
The song of peace, Creation's morning heard,
Is sung wherever angel minstrels tread!
"Let us depart,
If home like this await the weary soul!
Look up, then, stricken one, thy wounded heart
Shall bleed no more at sorrow's stern control.
" With faith our guide,
White-robed and innocent, to trace the way,
Why fear to plunge in Jordan's rolling tide,
And find the ocean of eternal day?"
James was a great comfort to  his
mother.  He continued, for a season, to
reside with her, and did everything in
his  power to  make  her happy.   At
length he became convinced that it was
his duty to preach the gospel; but such
were his views of the proper qualifications of a minister that he was led to
ciy  out, "Who is sufficient for these
things?" He felt the importance of
9




138         JAMES BAIRD.
acquiring a suitable education; but his
means were limited, and he felt bound
to provide for the necessities of his
mother. A friend, on learning his feelings and circumstances, applied for assistance for him to an Education Society.
The application was successful; and,
after making arrangements for a comfortable home for his mother, he went
to the seminary at W -, where he
staid about two years, and made great
proficiency in his studies.  Here his
labors were blessed in promoting a most
glorious revival of religion, in which
many of his fellow-students became
pious.  His consistent and uniform
course of life was marked by all. He
did much, while in the institution, to
advance the morals and religious interests of the students.




CONCLUSION.                189
CHAPTER XI.
CONCLUSION.
WE will close this narrative with a few
reflections. Permit me, dear reader, to
invite your attention to the importance
of religion. What treasure so important-so valuable!  0, give it a place in
your  heart!   Precious  boon!-more
valuable than rubies!
" Religion, better, surer treasure
Than earth's riches can afford;
Hope, and love, and life, and pleasure
Cluster round that sacred word.
" Envy, pride, and wild ambition
From its presence fade and die;
The dark storms of guilty passion
At its gentle bidding fly.
"Here the stricken soul of anguish
Ease can find for every throe;
Though the heart in grief may languish,
Here's a balm for every woe.




140            JJAMES BAIRD.
"See the wanderer on life's ocean;
Round him angry waves arise;
Toss'd in wild and sad commotion,
Darkness threat'ning from the skies
"But the clouds have broke asunder;
The shining sun the storm derides;
Hush'd is now the echoing thunder;
See, his bark in safety rides!
"Thus religion, gently beaming,
Bids the storms of anguish cease;
Guides us, by its hallow'd beaming,
To the port of endless peace.
" Turn thy steps, 0 restless mortal!
Come, 0 bid thy wand'rings cease!'T is religion sweetly calling,' Come, my ways are paths of peace.' 
Who can properly estimate the blessings of early piety? From how many
evils does it save-evils to which the
youth are so generally exposed? The
paths of our feet are beset at every
step, and how  many  of the promising
and the fair are enticed away to sin and




CONCLUSION.           141
ruin!  Sad to relate, but it is nevertheless fearfully true, that one falls here
and another there, before our eyes, and
many a parent, in consequence, goes
down with sorrow to the grave.  Religion affords the only protection and
safety.  "They that trust in the Lord
shall never be moved."  "Godliness is
profitable unto all things."
Early piety will give firmness and
stability to Christian character.  By its
aid the principles of virtue are fixed
deeply and permanently in the heart.
A life of usefulness, too, is intimately
connected with early piety.  To do
good is life's great work; we should
live to do good-live to bless our race.
Yes, youthful reader, this is your work.
The poet has expressed the thought,
with  much  force, in  the  following
lines:



142            JAMES BAIRD.
"Live to do good,-an idle wail
Is useless,-action must prevail,
A living pattern teach;
Invoke example's potent aid,
And that to which you would persuade,
Practice as well as preach.
"Live to do good, and kindness show
To neighbor, stranger, friend, or foe,
Nor think the task is hard;
Heaven will bestow its righteous meed,
And every earth-forgotten deed
Shall bring a rich reward."
A  life of usefulness will be abundantly  rewarded.  Thus it was in  the
case of James, as seen in the foregoing
narrative; and thus it will be with all
who imitate his example in doing good.
But the  glorious  rewards  of heaven
await such  a life:  "Then  shall the
King say unto them on his right hand,
Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit'
the kingdom prepared for you from the
foundation of the world: for I was an




CONCLUSION.        143
hungered, and ye gave me meat; I
was thirsty, and ye gave me drink;
I was a stranger, and ye took me in;
naked, and ye clothed me; in prison,
and ye came unto me. Then shall the
righteous answer him, saying, Lord,
when saw we thee an hungered, and
fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee
drink? or a stranger, and took thee
in? or naked, and clothed thee? or
sick, or in prison, and, came unto thee?
Then the King shall answer and say
unto them, Inasmuch as ye have done
it unto one of the least of these my
brethren, ye have done it unto me."
"These shall go away into eternal
life."
Our short lives will soon be gone:
make the most of them for the good of
mankind. Time flies swiftly, and how
soon it will bear us all away! A few




144        JAMES BAIRD.
years, and we shall be no more on
earth. Are you prepared for death?
Thousands as young as you die: sotfe
of your former associates and companions have already gone to the tomb.
Their smiling faces you see not,-their
cheerful voices you hear not,-they are
gone! Some of them loved Jesus, and
have gone to heaven. You may soon
follow them  to the spirit-world.  0,
hasten to give.your hearts to the
Saviour!  Delay not,-there is danger
in every moment's delay!  As you
close this little volume, enter into a
solemn engagement with God that you
will no longer defer the salvation of
your soul.
THE END.